A 7-year-old girl was at the scene of a car crash that tragically took the lives of her parents. Per PEOPLE, the couple, identified as Ronald Jean-Baptiste, 54, and Yanique Pierre, 46, were trying to cross a Florida roadway with their daughter when the fatal August 7 incident occurred.
The Massachusetts family was said to be in Lakeland for a visit, and the fatal crash happened not too far from their hotel. Authorities in a statement said the car that struck and killed the couple was driving southbound on South Florida Avenue, adding that the 7-year-old was only “a few feet away” from her parents when they were hit. The girl did not sustain any injuries.
First responders performed life-saving measures on the couple in the wake of the crash, but they succumbed to their injuries at the scene. Authorities also said their daughter is currently “in the care of family members.”
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Authorities provided details about the events leading up to the crash, explaining that preliminary evidence and accounts from witnesses suggest that the 22-year-old driving the vehicle “had a green light while traveling through the intersection of Imperial Boulevard.”
Authorities said the driver did not leave the scene after the crash and “did not exhibit obvious indications of impairment at the scene.” The driver did not also sustain any injuries.
Christine Cummings, who is the couple’s neighbor, told WFXT that Jean-Baptiste was a pastor while his wife had a job at a salon. “They were too young,” Cummings said. “My heart breaks for those two.”
A GoFundMe has since been set up to help raise funds for the deceased couple’s three daughters. “Losing both parents was an unforeseen tragedy, but with help hopefully we can memorialize Mr and Mrs. Baptiste and bring them home to their loved ones,” the fundraiser states.
“As they go through this traumatic and devastating time, We are very grateful for anything and everything that you are able to donate.”
